After 10 days of what became some heated debates, the special session ended with lawmakers agreeing to use $99 million from the rainy day fund to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor John Bel Edwards originally asked legislators to use $119 million from the state's savings account to minimize cuts to state agencies. More

It’s the final day of the special session, and the major sticking point is how much of the rainy day fund to tap to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor Edwards and the Senate proposes using $99 million from the state’s savings account, but LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Republicans want the Senate to pass a bill that frees up statutory dedications in future budgets.More

In the final two days of the special session, lawmakers are close to reaching a compromise on how many rainy day dollars to use versus what cuts to make to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. The Senate approved a plan that would tap $99 million from the state’s savings account. Senate President John Alario says it’s a fair compromise that would protect vital services from deep cuts.More

The Louisiana Senate passed a measure on Sunday night that would use $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund to help offset the state’s $304 million budget deficit. Last week, the House passed legislation that would use $75 million, but Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Gene Reynolds, supports using the higher amount.More

Today the state House will decide how much, if any, of the rainy day fund to use to close a $304 million budget shortfall. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says lawmakers passed a budget last year describing what they want to accomplish for the people of Louisiana, and it’s the legislature’s responsibility to meet those promises. He says the best way to accomplish that would be to use $119 million from the rainy day fund.More

On the opening night of the special session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his reasons on why the state legislature should use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund to address a 304-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says without using it, cuts will likely have to be made to higher education, public schools and social services like foster care.

"This is the most justified use of using the Rainy Day fund in my decade of public service," Edwards said.

Tonight Louisiana lawmakers will convene for their third special session in just one year, as they attempt to resolve a $304 million midyear budget deficit. ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says one of the biggest battles will be whether or not to tap into the rainy day fund, and how much. He says if they do not use the fund, lawmakers will face some tough decisions.More

Several Republicans in the state legislature have voiced opposition into using money from the Rainy Day Fund to solve a $304 million budget deficit, but there is at least one Democrat who also opposed it. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver told News Radio 7-10 KEEL that there are other days to eliminate the shortfall without tapping into this fund.More

With a $304 million budget deficit and a special session coming up next month, does that mean more cuts to healthcare services? Angela Lorio, co-found of Trach Mommas of Louisiana, is worried she will lose state assistance for her 3-year-old son who uses a feeding tube. She says using the Rainy Day Fund to offset the shortfall is a no brainer.More

Governor John Bel Edwards announces he will call a special session so legislators can make what he calls "painful" cuts to address a 304-million dollar shortfall. Edwards says the 11-day special session would start February 13th.